Rubicund

"people now pick up the poop". They most certainly do not. We had to dance our way around piles of it on the walk from the station I mentioned above. Cleaned up and spiffy wouldn't be my phrase and sticking a few lights on the Eiffel Tower doen't lift a whole city. Pictures of pretty areas don't hold true for the whole city.

Like I said, some people are more enamoured of the idea of Paris than of Paris itself.

Michael

<i>Cleaned up and spiffy wouldn't be my phrase</i>

Compared to NYC and SF it is (major tourist destinations). The parks are well maintained in every <i>arrondissement</i> I've visited, including the double digit ones. There is a serious attempt at cleaning all pre-W.W.I buildings, not just the historical monuments. As for dog droppings, it is much better than it used to be, even if not perfect. Rubicund, given your age (close to mine), I am afraid that memory is playing you tricks.

Rubicund

Michael, fortunately my memory is good as my dancing! I didn't say that dog mess was any more or less good or bad than it was, I just said that people aren't picking up.

Michael

Rubicund,

<i>The place is certainly more scruffy than it was and I do feel that people are more enamoured of the idea of Paris than of Paris itself.
</i>

This was the starting base of your comments. I assumed that this would mean worse than what it was on the details.

kerouac

It should be mentioned that there are a lot of new places to discover that did not exist in the old days -- the Parc de la Villette, the Parc de Bercy, the Parc André Citroën, the Parc de Belleville, for example, or the even newer Parc Martin Luther King.

There is also the passerelle Simone de Beauvoir, connecting the bibliothèque François Mitterrand to the Parc de Bercy -- a new favorite picnic spot for Parisians (but not tourists, who do not venture out that far).

The left and right bank expressways are currently being partially eliminated to give greater access to the Seine for Parisians -- most Parisians do not own a car, so we are certainly in favor of that.

Lots of interesting things are underway in the city.

And yes, most Parisians do now pick up the dog poop.

SpartanTartan

Last year my husband and I took a delightful trip starting in Amsterdam, moving on to Bruge and Brussels and ending with nine glorious days in Paris. In my opinion, Paris is THE most beautiful city on earth, simply magical. I've been there twice in the past tree years and will return in April. Amsterdam is also lovely, another city not to miss.

Here's my suggestion: Start off in Amsterdam for two or three days. Explore the neighborhoods along the canals by walking and by taking a canal tour by boat. Perhaps you will want to take in the Van Gogh museum. Don't miss taking a day trip via train to Haarlem, a MOST charming town. See the windmill there and have lunch on the square. Stop into the church on the square and hope the organist is playing the famous and magnificent organ that was also played by both Handel and Mozart.

Take the train to Bruges but only stay overnight. Wander the streets, and eat chocolate. Take a canal tour there, too.

From Bruges, travel by train to Brussels for an overnight stay OR stop in Brussels for a couple of hours. You can walk to the Grande Place, which is the big attraction. OR skip Brussels and go directly to Paris.

Try to stay as long as possible in Paris. Wonder the streets of the Marais district, especially the old Jewish section. Climb to the top of the Arc du Triomphe for a 360 degree view. Go to the Notre Dame, take a ride on the Seine after dark and walk, walk, walk. But leave a day for a trip to Versailles. I went there in April, and although few flowers were blooming, the fountains were on, and it was a spectacular day.

Remember, you can now fly into one city and out of another without penalty for not flying round trip.

Enjoy your trip!!!